Your 2014 Christmas Eve restaurant dining guide

If staying home and cooking dinner while you watch the "Grinch" for the zillionth time — or ordering pizza — isn't your idea of a good time on Christmas Eve, there are options. Many of this town's excellent restaurants are not only open on Christmas Eve, they're serving special holiday dinners. So instead of making a sandwich, how about letting a professional kitchen do the work. Also, many of the restaurants are not only open, they've decorated. So sit down to a plate of roasted squab or prime rib with Yorkshire pudding and listen to carolers, or try one of the many great seafood dishes at restaurants celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Happy holidays indeed.

Barton G.

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The so-called theatrical restaurant (the original is in Miami) is offering lots of over-the-top holiday specials. The "Mother Clucker," a whole roasted chicken, is deboned and served for guests to carve and eat with acorn squash; Colorado rack of lamb with root vegetable fondant; veal chops and apple fritters are served to look like an orchard harvest. Specials are $38-$68. Reservations are required. N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 388-1888, bartongtherestaurantla.com.

The almost-50-year-old restaurant, done in the manner of an English country inn, will be celebrating Christmas Eve with a prime rib dinner with Yorkshire pudding, whipped cream horseradish and sides. Options include Scottish salmon, Australian lamb, kale linguini and a traditional Christmas goose. With 48 hours' notice, you can even get the prime rib dinner to go. 3801 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, (949) 760-0331, lawrysonline.com/five-crowns

Hatfield's

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As Quinn and Karen Hatfield's fine-dining restaurant will be closing soon, making reservations for Christmas Eve dinner might be a great way to celebrate not only your holiday but their lovely cooking. On Christmas Eve, they'll be serving a prix-fixe four-course dinner — the dishes are still being decided — for $75 per person. There will be a vegetarian menu available, and children under 10 can order à la carte. 6703 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 935-2977, hatfieldsrestaurant.com.

Il Grano

Chef-owner Sal Marino is celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes at his swank Italian restaurant. The dinner has two seatings and is $65 per person, which includes wine pairings. Dishes include: seared scallops, celery root and shaved black truffles; cod cakes with wild baby arugula salad; baby clams and spaghetti; tagliolini with Maine lobster; grouper with tomatoes and olives; and for dessert, struffoli, or soufflé of panettone. 11359 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 477-7886, ilgrano.com.

Christmas Eve dinner here is a four-course menu featuringcandied yam bisque; prime rib with sautéed escarole and Yukon Gold potato and roasted garlic mash; and candy cane mousse with peppermint schnapps. There are two seatings, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Dinner is $68 per person, with children under 12 for $34. 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, (310) 284-6536, intercontinentallosangeles.com.

The Pikey

The Hollywood English pub is all decked out for the holidays (stockings on the mantel, elves in hats), and will be serving specials on Christmas Eve as well. Dishes include pig's head in a blanket; scallops wrapped in bacon and dates; gooseneck pie; honey-glazed ham for two with grits; and minced pie ice cream. The regular menu will also be available, as well as a menu of holiday cocktails. 7617 W Sunset Blvd., (323) 850-5400, thepikeyla.com.

Providence

Michael Cimarusti's Melrose Avenue seafood palace will be having its customary Feast of the Seven Fishes meal — a southern Italian tradition -- on Christmas Eve. Dishes this year include squid carbonara with pancetta and pepe nero; lobster raviolo; risottino all'onda with vongole, gamberetti, lemon and celery; and struffolini, a Neapolitan dessert of deep-fried balls of dough. The eight-course option is $130, $190 or $290, depending on the wine pairing. 5955 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 460-4170, providencela.com.

Puck's restaurant at the elegant Hotel Bel-Air will be open from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. on Christmas Eve, with a four-course prix-fixe dinner available. Dinner will include an amuse and roasted Italian chestnut soup; steamed Rhode Island striped bass; and a Buche de Noel. $160 per person; $65 for children 12 and under. 701 Stone Canyon Road, Los Angeles, (310) 909-1644, dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/hotel-bel-air/restaurant-bars.

Since there are many, many restaurants around town serving special Christmas Eve menus, this post will be updated. Let us know!